Get to Know the Greyhounds of the Cat World: 5 Interesting Facts About the Cornish Rex

The Cornish Rex is a human-centric and active breed. With its unique curly coat and large ears, it easily captures people's attention.

The Cornish Rex is playful and cheerful by nature and is said to remain funny and silly throughout its life. In addition to its distinctive and charming appearance, these traits often lead people to become devoted to this unique breed. Here are 6 interesting facts about the Cornish Rex.

1.) The Oldest Rex is the Cornish Rex

The CFA (Cat Fanciers’ Association) officially recognizes three Rex breeds: the Cornish Rex, the Devon Rex, and the Selkirk Rex. Of these, the Selkirk Rex is the youngest, and the Cornish Rex is the oldest, though it is not an ancient or even old cat breed, as its history began in 1950 with a spontaneous natural mutation and an enthusiastic owner in Cornwall.

2.) The First Cornish Rex Was Named Kallibunker

The first Cornish Rex, Kallibunker, was a love child. In 1950, he was born along with three siblings from the romance between an ordinary farm cat named Serena and an unknown tomcat. (Although often referred to as an unknown tomcat, Serena’s owners suspected that her brother, Ginger, might have been the father.) All the kittens were beautiful, but Kallibunker had a unique feature that set him apart: a soft, curly coat. This trait greatly appealed to his owner, who then set out to create a new breed, with varying degrees of success. Unfortunately, Kallibunker’s life was cut short, living only six years, but in that time, he was very active and fathered many litters. Thus, the breeding of the Cornish Rex began.

3.) It’s No Coincidence They’re Called the Greyhounds of the Cat World

The Cornish Rex’s character is often compared to that of dogs, as the breed’s representatives are very friendly, usually get along well with strangers, struggle with loneliness, and are very playful. However, they are not called the Greyhounds of the cat world because of these traits. This nickname primarily stuck due to their similar physique: both Greyhounds and Cornish Rex cats have athletic and slender bodies, fine bone structures, yet are muscular. Naturally, it’s also worth noting that, like Greyhounds, these cats love to run and sometimes even race with their companions. Their running motion also closely resembles that of Greyhounds.

4.) The Name “Rex” Refers to Their Coat

The term “Rex” could easily refer to the breed’s regal appearance, as one of its meanings is “king.” So, we could call the breed the “King of Cornwall,” but that might be too boastful. Moreover, in the context of the cat, it doesn’t refer to this, but rather to the genetic mutation that results in its soft and curly coat.

5.) A Temperature-Sensitive Breed

An interesting fact about the Cornish Rex is that its close-fitting, curly coat consists only of an undercoat, leaving it without the protection of guard hairs. This makes them much more vulnerable to environmental conditions, such as the current temperature. In winter, they are less protected against the cold and tend to feel chilly, seeking out warm spots in the house. In summer, their number one enemy is not the heat but UV radiation, as without guard hairs, their skin is much more exposed to the sun’s strength.